The Unhurried Life by Anthony ThompsonSample

Day 5: Painting Your Future with Faith - The Story of Lazarus

Scripture: Romans 8:25 - "But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."

Think about the story of Lazarus, a CLOSE friend of Jesus.

Every time I read about Jesus and Lazarus my emotions go wild. I first think about Lazarus - dying. Then, I think about Jesus, his CLOSE friend who seems to not care.

If I was with or around Lazarus at the time, knowing my CLOSE FRIEND (Jesus) could heal me and doesn’t - Wow! I would be so confused. Why would He not?

When Jesus heard of Lazarus' illness, He didn't rush to his side.

He waited, and even when Lazarus died, Jesus knew that wasn't the end of the story. He arrived unhurried, confident in the knowledge that God's timing is always perfect.

What an incredible lesson of faith. I know when life doesn’t go my way - my mind JUMPS so fast to negative loops. I get bombarded with fear, worry, and SO MUCH doubt.

But Jesus' approach to Lazarus' death teaches us that our future is a canvas painted with the brushstrokes of faith and patience. He’s - Got - This!

I want to end this devotional as I started it with another story about my dad. It’s funny to reflect upon how many times my dad’s UNURRIED lifestyle drove me NUTS! It felt like my insides were going to explode out of my chest.

And now here I am writing a devotional about his UNIQUE and Biblical way. Ha. Life is good. Anyway, here’s a story about my dad.

I remember a season for my Dad and Mom when life was not going well for them. It seemed as if the whole world was against them.

Even though they had been faithful pastors for 40 years, their faith, family, finances, and even physical bodies were being tested.

It felt like I was watching the Biblical story of Job, but it was my parents.

I remember checking in with my Dad during these times and he just kept telling me, “God is faithful. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

One of the things I noticed about my dad during that time was that his mouth was always speaking the promises of God.

He wasn’t rushed or worried about what was next. He remained steadfast and UNHURRIED. I mean, I’m sure on the inside, he was a volcano of emotions. I’m just saying, from what I could see - he was still the UNHURRIED Faith legend.

It’s been years since then, and my Dad and Mom still haven’t fully recovered everything that was lost. But you know what - they remained faithful and UNHURRIED in the Lord.

My Dad is and continues to be UNHURRIED in not only his personal life but also where it matters most - Spiritually. He’s been my #1 example, and I am proud to say I have watched him live it out.

What about you and your story? Are you ready to live an UNHURRIED life?

Can you sense the Lord drawing you closer? Can you sense your screen time being replaced with God-time?

Can you imagine going through a tragedy but being steadfast in the Lord?

Is there anything you are holding onto that you need to let and ask the Lord for forgiveness?

“Be still and know that He is God.” Psalms 46:10

• How does the story of Lazarus influence your understanding of God's timing? Can you think of a time when what seemed like a delay was actually a setup for something greater?
• In what areas of your life do you need to exercise more faith and patience? Are you facing situations where you feel like giving up because the timing isn't what you expected?
• How can embracing an unhurried approach change your perspective on life's challenges? Instead of rushing to solutions or conclusions, how can you adopt a stance of trust and patience?

Affirmation: "I trust in God's timing, painting my future with faith and patience, knowing that His plans for me are perfect and His timing is always right."

If any of this was impactful for you, please let me know. Feel free to email me or send a message on Instagram.

If you feel like God is leading you into higher levels of Spirituality, I’d love to challenge you to join my Spiritual Accountability Group, join my email growth list, or look into 1-1 coaching. You can find more about it at anthonythompson.org